Earlier this afternoon I was able to get Jonathan Tjarks (@JonathanTjarks), he of SB Nation, where he provides NBA Draft coverage and Maverick coverage, and of Real GM, where he writes about both the NCAA and NBA. Though he’s not been to Summer League before, Jonathan is well versed on both the current Dallas players and the various NBA hopefuls which make up the team.

With the start of Las Vegas Summer League today, I decided to reach out to a couple few people on the basketball blogosphere who have a better handle on the NBA Summer Leagues and developmental basketball as a whole. Though I’ve been watching the Mavericks for years, this will be the first time I’ve really paid attention to the Mavericks Summer League roster. Learning what to look for, what to expect, and what to hope for is important when placing value on Summer League performances.

The end is here. For 12 years, most people didn’t have an idea when the year would be ending for the Mavericks. Now, we know that game 82 will mark the end. The Dallas Mavericks (40-41) finish their season against the New Orleans Hornets (27-54). Normally, the final day of the season usually brings a sense of excitement as everyone waits for everything to play out and see who the Mavericks would face in the first round. After the exit interviews tomorrow, we know that things will be dormant until the anticipation of the NBA draft on June 27.

The toughest day of the year for a team is the final game of the season when they have nothing else to play for. We shall if the team led by prideful veterans will impose their spirit on the rest of the team, ensuring that the season ends on a high note.

Here are the notes for the game between the Mavericks and the Hornets.

You would have to think the Dallas Mavericks (40-40) will be lighter and faster as they take on the Memphis Grizzlies (54-26). With the victory against the New Orleans Hornets, the Mavericks were finally able to get back to .500, the first time they were there since they were 11-11 on Dec. 12. Dallas ended their road season with a record of 17-24 and now look to ensure they don’t finish the season with a losing record with two final home games. Winning seven of their last nine games, Memphis is still playing for playoff positioning as they still have a chance to have homecourt advantage in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Here are the notes for the game between the Mavericks and the Grizzlies.

The Dallas Mavericks (39-40) will once again be in a shave game as they head to the bayou to take on the New Orleans Hornets (27-53). Since their game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Mar. 26, Dallas has had three opportunities to get back to .500 and have failed miserably in each attempt. On Mar. 28, they suffered a 103-78 loss to the Pacers. In the biggest game of the year, the Mavericks brought a dud to their game against the Los Angeles Lakers, suffering a 101-81 loss on Apr. 2. The most embarrassing of the previous three attempts came against the Phoenix Suns as they fell asleep in a 102-91 loss on Apr. 10.

Their fourth opportunity sends them to an unfriendly location. Dallas is looking to hit the .500 mark since they were 11-11 on Dec. 12. Pride and beards are on the line.

Here are the notes for the game between the Mavericks and the Hornets.

It has come to this as the Dallas Mavericks (38-40) are now playing the string out as they host the Denver Nuggets (54-24). Coupling the loss to Phoenix and Los Angeles’ win in Portland, Dallas is officially out of the running for the playoffs.The streak of 12 consecutive trips to the postseason was the longest in franchise history and the second-longest in the NBA (San Antonio will be making its 16th straight postseason appearance in 2013). The Nuggets, who will be making their 10th consecutive postseason appearance in 2013 (2004-2013), now own the second-longest active playoff streak. During their 12-year streak, the Mavericks made three Western Conference Finals appearances (2003, 2006, 2011) and advanced to the NBA Finals twice (2006 and 2011). They captured their first NBA championship in 2011.

It will be interesting to see how the players react in playing a game that really has no major significance. There’s a mix of veterans who have a lot of pride with young players who might not be sure how to react to this situation.

Despite the Mavericks being out of the playoff mix, there are still things to play for and those will be covered at the end.

Here are the notes for the game between the Mavericks and the Nuggets.

The Dallas Mavericks (38-39) are clinging to playoff hope as they host the Phoenix Suns (23-55). Dallas comes off a split of their four-game road trip in hopes of getting back to .500 for the first time since they were 11-11 after a loss to the Boston Celtics on Dec. 12. They look to get back to .500 against the worst team in the Western Conference. In a very odd finish to a very good game, the Suns lost on a goaltending call at the buzzer, 101-98, to the Rockets in Houston. Phoenix dropped its 10th consecutive game on a buzzer-beating three-point attempt by James Harden that was taken off the rim by a Suns player and ruled interference, making the basket good and giving Houston the three-point win. Phoenix has lost their last 10 by an average of 11.4 points.

Dallas is still mathematically alive to make the playoffs, but the odds are looking slim. The anti magic number for the Mavericks is two. That means between themselves, the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas needs to avoid any combination of their own losses and wins by Utah and wins by Los Angeles equaling out to the number two. Ultimately, Dallas needs to win out and hope that those two teams win no more than one game on their respective remaining schedules. It’s going to take a lot, starting with the game against the Phoenix Suns.

In an injury update, the team believes that Dirk Nowitzki (left foot) will play vs Phoenix. They are also optimistic that Elton Brand (right calf) will be in uniform. Brand has missed the last three games with his injury.

After Sunday, there’s only 10 days left in the regular season. The Dallas Mavericks (37-39) are looking to get a split out of their four-game road trip as it concludes against the Portland Trail Blazers (33-43). Portland is no longer in the playoff picture. A seven-game losing streak, which they’re currently in the midst of, will do that to a team.

With Dallas essentially three games back of the eight spot with six games to go, their collective backs are right up against the wall. In an injury update, Elton Brand will be a game-time decision due to his sore right calf.

Here are the notes for the game between the Mavericks and the Trail Blazers.

It might just be about playing for pride now. With another devastating loss in Denver, the Dallas Mavericks (36-39) continue on their four-game road trip with a matchup against the Sacramento Kings (27-48). Depending on where you look, Dallas has no better than a 3 percent chance to make the playoffs. They would certainly need to win the rest of their remaining schedule to at least have a chance.

The game will mark the second night of a back-to-back for the Mavericks. They are 2-13 in the first half of a back-to-back and 6-8 in the second half of a back-to-back this season. Dallas is 4-5 this season on the second night of a road-road set of back-to-backs.

The Dallas Mavericks (36-38) are clinging to life as they take on the Denver Nuggets (51-24). The Mavericks are in need of a Mile-High miracle as they’re 2.5 games out of the 8th spot with eight games left. With the tiebreakers going against the Mavericks, they’re essentially three games back of making the playoffs. It won’t be easy for Dallas as they face the Denver in Denver (33-3 at home this season). Look at that again. The Nuggets have 33 wins at home this season. The Mavericks have 36 wins total for the year.

Denver got an impressive victory last night against the Utah Jazz despite being without Ty Lawson for the fourth time in five games as he’s sidelined indefinitely with a plantar fascia tear. Dallas will be hoping to hop on a potentially fatigued Denver squad. The Nuggets are 7-8 on the second night of a back-to-back this season. The game will feature two of the better teams since the All-Star break. Dallas has the third best winning percentage improvement Pre vs Post All-Star (+.149). Denver is first (+.249), Los Angeles Lakers are second (+.204).

It’s now or never for the Mavericks.

Here are the notes for the game between the Mavericks and the Nuggets.